The Delta Regional Authority is hosting training in Jonesboro and Pine Bluff about what elected officials in the state can do to help their communities spur economic development after a natural disaster. The training series is called “Leading Economically Competitive and Resilient Communities” and will combine resources from the DRA and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. DRA chairman Chris Massnegill tells why this is necessary.
“When it comes to first responding after a natural disaster, we do a very good job,” said Massengill. “Where we need to put a stronger structure in place, is making sure we are giving our elected officials the right kind of training, practices and tools that allow business and the economy to get right back on track as quickly as possible after a natural disaster.”
He tells what the training will cover.
“This is about giving the elected officials an understanding as to what their role is in economic development. Economic development is a process and a discipline. There are so many components in this process that we want to make sure elected officials are armed with what they need to help drive their communities.”
Massengill says this training can help mayors, county judges and other officials to make strong economic decisions after tornadoes, severe storms, and ice storms strike.
“When your elected officials (who are part of the economic development process) understand how to immediately jumpstart their economy after a natural disaster, that makes that community much stronger. When disasters strike, it affects so many aspects of the business and economic engines. This training will help those officials understand what they need to do to immediately respond and putting people right back to work and getting life back to normal as quickly as possible.”
The workshops will be held October 15th and 16th at the East Arkansas Planning and Development District in Jonesboro and October 29th and 30th at the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District in Pine Bluff. Workshops will be held in Greenwood, Mississippi November 9th and 10th and in Malden, Missouri December 10th and 11th. More information can be found here.
